Desk comprising an integrated reading device

ABSTRACT

A table with an interface for the connection of a data processing system includes a reading device integrated in the table which cooperates with a transponder. The reading device contains a circuit component for detecting a modulation of an electromagnetic field caused by the transponder as well as a circuit component for generating a signal corresponding to the modulation and transmitting the signal to the interface of the furniture system.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a table with an interface for the connection ofa data processing system, which is capable of avoiding disruptive cableconnection and ensuring secure data transmission.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Nowadays many workplaces are equipped with a computer. In such asituation, the monitor, the keyboard and the mouse, amongst otherthings, are placed on the table, and the connection to the computer isusually made via cable connections. Furthermore, a plug socket isnecessary for each electrical device, so that in all there are a largenumber of cables and plugs present. Work tables with so called cableconduits have already been designed for stowing these cables and plugs.

Interfaces which are integrated in the table surface are also known, theinterface being constructed for example as a plug socket for the mainpower connection or as a connection to a computer. These solutions whichare known in the art already make it possible to stow most of the cablesand plug sockets which are present. However, there are often deviceswhich require cables which run diagonally over the entire table in anextremely disruptive manner. This is the case in particular with thekeyboard and the mouse of a computer.

A computer desk in which the data processing system is integrated in thedesk is known from WO 97/13 432. An JR connection is also provided forthe communication between the mouse and the data processing system. Withthis system, however, if objects such as for example books or the likeare placed in the transfer connection between the infrared transmitterprovided in the mouse and the infrared receiver provided on the desk,then data losses can occur.

A table known from DE-C-40 15 482 relates to a system for contactlessauthentication of the user of a data terminal of a data processingsystem. In this case, the user carries with him an identificationcarrier which is difficult to lose. A distance reader continuously pollsthe personal user identification on the identification carrier. Thedistance reader consists principally of a transmitting and receivingcoils as well as an electronic assembly. Typically, at least thetransmitting and seconding coil is very close to the input keyboard, forexample set into the desk support in front of the keyboard. Inoperation, it is surrounded by a low-frequency magnetic alternatingfield which reacts to the presence of the identification carrier whichis worn for example on the wrist of the user who is for example sittingin front of the monitor and touching the keyboard.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention therefore is to create a table in whichdisruptive cable connections can be avoided and a secure data orinformation transfer is ensured.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a table whichaccommodates means for detecting the modulation of an electromagneticfield in a simple manner.

According to the invention the reading device integrated in the tablehas means for detecting a modulation of an electromagnetic field causedby the transponder and also means for generating a signal correspondingto the modulation and passing the signal on to the interface of thefurniture system.

In a further embodiment of the invention the means for detecting themodulation of the electromagnetic field are formed by at least oneantenna, particularly a coil, which is advantageously integrated in theregion of the table top.

In a preferred embodiment the table has a table top with abutting edges,and the means for detecting the modulation of the electromagnetic fieldare disposed in the region of the abutting edges.

Further variants of the invention are explained in greater detail withreference to the following description of some embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic three-dimensional representation of a tablewith various devices in the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a circuit diagram of a reading device for usewith the table of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a circuit diagram of a transponder for us ththe table of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional representation in the region of the edgeof the table according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional representation in the region of the edgeof the table according to a second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The furniture system shown in FIG. 1 is formed by a table 1 which has aninterface 2 for the connection of a data processing system, particularlywith a computer 3. The table also provides an integrated reading device4 which detects modulations of an electromagnetic field and passes on asignal corresponding to the modulation to the interface 2.

FIG. 2 shows the reading device 4 in greater detail in the form of ablock circuit diagram. It consists essentially of means 4 a fordetecting a modulation of an electromagnetic field caused by atransponder as well as means 4 b for generating a signal correspondingto the modulation and passing the signal on to the interface 2. Themeans 4 a are formed for example by an antenna, particularly a coil. Thesignals which are of interest here are merely passed on by a filter 4 cto the means 4 b, which are usually constituted by a microprocessor.

In the illustrated embodiment, the electromagnetic field which isnecessary between transponder and reading device for the transfer ofsignals is also generated by the reading device 4, so that the means 4 aserve not only as a receiving antenna but also as a transmittingantenna. The electromagnetic field is generated here by the resonantcircuit consisting of a coil L2, a capacitor C3, a resistor R2 and anoscillator.

The coil which is necessary for generating the electromagnetic field orfor detecting the modulated electromagnetic field is preferablyintegrated in the region of the table top 1 a. In the embodimentaccording to FIG. 1, the coil is inlaid in the table top 1 a. Of course,a plurality of coils could also be provided which co-operate with one ormore transponders.

The further components of the reading device, particularly the filter 4c and the microprocessor 4 b, can be installed or mounted at anysuitable location on the table 1. In the illustrated embodimentaccording to FIG. 1 only the coils are set into the table top 1 a,whilst the rest of the electronics of the reading device 4 and theinterface 2 are mounted on the side of the table 1. The reading device 4advantageously communicates with the data processing unit (computer) 3via a standard interface (e.g. RS232, Centronics etc., particularly amouse and/or keyboard interface).

The components which co-operate with the reading device 4 and areusually placed on the table 1 contain a corresponding transponder 7. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the transponder 7 which co-operates with thereading device 4 is accommodated in an input device such as a keyboard 5and in a mouse 6. The transponder 7 modulates the electromagnetic fieldin response to the operation of the input device. The transponder 7which is illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 3 consists essentially ofa resonant circuit 7 a and a processor 7 b which in particular controlsa switch S1 by means of which the amplitude of the electromagnetic fieldcan be modulated. The special feature of the transponder 7 is that itdoes not require its own current supply, but rather it draws the powernecessary for its operation from the electromagnetic field.

The processor 7 b is operatively connected to the individual keys of thekeyboard 5 or to the sensor of the mouse 6 in order to modulate theelectromagnetic field in such a way that the reading device 4 is capableof generating signal which corresponds to the conventional signaltransferred via the cable connection between mouse 6 and computer 3 orbetween keyboard 5 and computer 3.

Such a system enables free communication via the mouse 6 or the keyboard5 with the computer 3 without a corresponding cable connection beingnecessary. If the keyboard 5 or the mouse 6 is no longer required, thesecan be stowed without further work for example in a drawer.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show two preferred embodiments of the arrangement of themeans 4 a in the region of an abutting edge (hereafter, “edge element”)1 b of the table top 1 a. The element 1 b is provided for protection ofthe edge of the table top 1 a against impact damage.

In the first embodiment according to FIG. 4, the means 4 a, i.e. inparticular the coil, are integrated in the edge element 1 b. The edgeelement 1 b can be held for example in the manner of a veneer or, asshown, can be held in a recess 1 c provided in the table top 1 a.

In the second embodiment according to FIG. 5, the means 4 a fordetecting the modulation of the electromagnetic field are disposed inthe recess 1 c in the table top 1 a which receives the edge element 1 b.The means 4 a for detecting the modulation of the electromagnetic fieldand the edge element 1 b can be produced separately in this embodiment,whereby the means 4 a are inlaid in the recess 1 c before the edgeelement 1 b is attached.

If the means 4 a for detecting the modulation of the electromagneticfield are disposed in the region of the abutting edges of the table top,all objects equipped with a corresponding transponder which have beenplaced at any location on the table can be detected. Due to the size ofthe coil, in certain circumstances transponders in the vicinity of thetable can also be detected.

However, the invention can reasonably be used not only when thetransponder is accommodated in a keyboard or a mouse. Thus it is quiteconceivable for documents and/or files or the like to be provided withtransponders so that by means of corresponding software it can beimmediately recognized when a specific file or a specific document isplaced on the table or is located in the vicinity of the table. In thisway, for example, the location of a specific file can be establishedimmediately by the computer system.

The transponder which is necessary for this purpose is of substantiallysimpler construction, since it merely has to transmit an adjustable orselectable identifier which is evaluated by the reading device for itsidentification.

What is claimed is:
 1. A table with an interface for connection of adata processing system, comprising: a reading device integrated in thetable to read signals in a non-contact manner; and a transponderprovided in an input device of a data processing system to modulate anelectromagnetic field in response operations of the input device;wherein the reading device is comprised of: means for detecting amodulation of the electromagnetic field caused by the transponder; andmeans for generating a signal corresponding to the modulation andtransmitting the signal to the interface of the data processing system;and wherein the table has a table top on which the input device isplaced and an edge element attached to an edge of the table top forprotection of the edge against impact damage, wherein the means fordetecting the modulation of the electromagnetic field is disposed in theedge element.
 2. A table as claimed in claim 1, wherein the readingdevice also has means for generating the electromagnetic field.
 3. Atable as claimed in claim 2, wherein the means for detecting themodulation of the electromagnetic field also generates theelectromagnetic field.
 4. A table as claimed in claim 2, wherein themeans for detecting the modulation of the electromagnetic field isformed by at least one antenna.
 5. A table as claimed in claim 2,wherein the means for detecting the modulation of the electromagneticfield is formed by a coil.
 6. A table as claimed in claim 1, wherein themeans for detecting the modulation of the electromagnetic field isdisposed in a recess of the edge element attached to the table top.
 7. Atable as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reading device is onlyconnected to the transponder via the electromagnetic field.